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PART 1: INITIAL PLANNING

Before you can start designing and building your home, you’ll need to review building codes and zoning restrictions on your lot, or purchase land if you haven’t already. Knowing your limitations with regards to land usage as well as having a clear idea of how much you are willing to spend are the first steps in planning your dream home.

BUDGETS & FINANCING

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1. Develop a preliminary budget

Establishing your cost limits and creating a preliminary budget sheet will help you align your vision with your bank account. Review your savings, income, and monthly expenditures to determine how much you are able to spend.

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2. Secure home financing

There are many options for home financing. Talk to your bank or credit card company about whether they offer home financing loans. Some popular financial institutions include: The Lending Club, SoFi, Prosper, or the Loan Depot.

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BUY LAND

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3. Connect with a real estate agent

Having a reputable and experienced real estate agent is crucial for a smooth land purchase. Ask your friends, neighbors, or coworkers for references, or check google for reviews.

4. Select a site

Contact the local building department to check building and zoning regulations to make sure you can build your dream home on the lot. Research and physically explore the neighborhood – the site you choose will be a major factor in how much you enjoy your home.

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5. Purchase a lot

There are several steps and legal forms you’ll need to complete in order to transfer the title of a property. Your real estate agent will walk you through this process.

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PART 2: PRE-CONSTRUCTION

Once you have a plot of land, your budget, and a plan for how you will finance the project, it’s time to think about the design of your home. Whether you use a design-build firm or an architect for a custom design, the team you hire will be your partners for months to come, and will help determine the success of your project.

DESIGN SOURCING ON BUILDZOOM

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1. Determine your home type and design

Before you begin sourcing designs, consider what type of home you’d like to build. You can discuss your options with a BuildZoom Project Consultant during your first call.

2. Describe your project on BuildZoom

List out your wants and needs in as much detail as possible either on our website or via phone.

3. Connect and meet with architects

Use your project dashboard on BuildZoom to manage your communications with architects. Set up a time to meet with each of them to discuss your vision.

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4. Review Estimates

Your Project Consultant can help you review proposals to see which architect or design-build firm is the best fit for your budget and job type.

5. Sign the Contract

A complete contract should outline the design process and set milestones for deliverables. Your Project Consultant will help you with a final review before signing.

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SOLIDIFY DESIGNS

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6. Complete Designs

Your architect should be familiar with the local zoning and building regulations and can help guide you through the design process.

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7. Planning and building permit

The process for planning, building, and HOA (home owners association) approval will vary based on your jurisdiction. Your architect will submit the structural, mechanical, and electrical plans as needed to local regulatory agencies. It may take several iterations to receive approval.

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CONTRACTOR SOURCING ON BUILDZOOM

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Step 8: Finding the Right Builder for Your New Home

Let us know what you’re building, and send plans if you have them. BuildZoom’s proprietary matching service will help you narrow your search for contractors by reviewing the work history and customer experience of the best pros in your area.  Read more

Step 9: Meet Contractors For A Walkthrough

Use your BuildZoom project dashboard to message contractors. Set up time to meet each pro in person, and walk them through your project. Read more

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Step 10: Evaluating Estimates

Once you receive bids, your Project Consultant can help you put together a bid matrix to compare them apples-to-apples. This ‘bid leveling’ process is important to determine which contractor is the best fit.  Read more

Step 11: Hire A Contractor

Use a contract template to establish an agreement between you and the contractor, while adding conditions specific to your project as necessary. Your BuildZoom Project Consultant will again review your contract to ensure it follows best practices. Read more

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PART 3: CONSTRUCTION

How smooth the construction process goes is largely determined by the preparation and planning from the pre-construction phase. Be sure to maintain good communication with your contractor throughout, and minimize change orders to keep your budget and timeline on track.

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SITEWORK & FOUNDATION

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1. Site preparation

Sitework prepares the land for construction. This may include grading, excavation, the construction and installation of utilities and septic systems, as well as driveways.

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2. Foundation

The foundation will provide a flat and level base for construction, and will shoulder the weight of your home. While many materials are used in building foundations, concrete is the most common.

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STRUCTURE & UTILITY SYSTEMS

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3. Framing

Your home will begin to take shape as the frame of your house is fitted together. Materials and techniques will vary by home type and design.

4. Exterior finishes

With the skeletal structure of the home in place, the next step includes building out the roof, walls, doors, and windows.

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5. Utility systems rough-ins

All distribution systems for electricity, data, gas, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) will be installed before moving on to interior work.

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INTERIOR WORK AND FINAL ITEMS

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6. Interior finishes

At this point, your home should have all of its structural components. Your contractor will now complete the interior with floors, tiles, fixtures, counters, lighting, moldings, and any other decorative finishes.

7. Final finishes

Once the house is structurally and functionally complete, your contractor will move on to any outdoor structures including decks or porches, the driveway, and landscaping.

8. Furniture

Appliances and furniture are the last elements to complete your new home.

9. Complete the punch list

A punch list identifies any remaining work before final occupancy, and should also include a plan for completion.

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Moving In

Congratulations on your new home! Your contractor will do a final walk through and should provide the following documentation:

• Warranties for appliances and fixtures
• User and troubleshooting manuals for home systems such as security alarms and HVAC
• A book or digital file of photos throughout construction that reveals internal structures and utility systems for future reference

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